St. John's is the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Get in

St. John's International Airport is located 10 minutes from the downtown section of St. John's and has flights arriving from major centres like Halifax, Toronto, and New York.

If you wish to drive to Newfoundland, you will also have to take a ferry. The island portion of the province is accessible by several ferries leaving North Sydney, Nova Scotia. From there, you can take a 6 to 7 hour ferry ride to Port-Aux-Basques, in western Newfoundland, and drive across the island to St. John’s, on the eastern coast. Alternately, you can take a 14 hour ferry ride from North Sydney, Nova Scotia, to Argentia, Newfoundland, which is roughly a 1 hour drive from St. John’s. Ferry schedules, reservation information, etc. is available on the Marine Atlantic website. It is recommended that you make a reservation well in advance. Marine Atlantic ferries offer a wide variety of onboard accommodations and features, including deluxe cabins, dormitory sleepers, full meal and beverage service, live entertainment, movies, and children's activity programs.

Once you arrive at either ferry terminal, simply follow the Trans-Canada highway east, and it will bring you directly into St. John’s.
 • Distance from Argentia to St. John’s: 131 km
 • Distance from Port-Aux-Basques to St. John’s: 905 km

If you choose not to travel with your own vehicle, you can take DRL Coachlines from Port-Aux-Basques to St. John’s (although that’s a long bus ride), or New Hook Bus Lines from Argentia to St. John’s (much easier to handle: 1-2 hours).

Get around

By bus
St. John's has a public transit system of buses called Metrobus, that services nearly all of St. John's (with the exception of the Airport), the sub-towns of Kilbride and the Goulds, as well as the neighbouring city of Mount Pearl. The service is per use, and not per distance, making it a very cheap, affordable way of getting around town. Most, if not all the bus drivers are kind and courteous, and are willing to give directions.

By taxi
St. John's issues over 300 taxi licenses, and many of the cab drivers are quite knowledgeable and eager to help visitors find out about local attractions. If you want to see something but aren't sure what or where, ask a cabbie and travel there!

Rental Car
St. John's International Airport has the following car rental agencies: Hertz, Avis, Thrifty, Budget, and National. In the city you can also find Enterprise, Discount, and Rent-A-Wreck.

See & Do

Outdoor Attractions 
 • Signal Hill-- Offers unrivaled views of the city.
 • Historic St. John's Harbour
 • Memorial University of Newfoundland.
 • The Battery: the small village on the edge of the downtown where small houses are framed by the sheer cliffs. The village was once part of the British Defense for the St. John's Harbour.
 • Cape Spear National Historic Site  -- Great lighthouse and most easterly point in North America. About a 20 minute drive from St. John's.
 • Bowring Park   - a beautiful 50 acre park with duck ponds, bridges, walking trails, tennis courts, playground equipment, an outdoor pool and many monuments.
 • The Grand Concourse - Walking trails in St. John's
 • Memorial University's Botanical Garden
 • The St. John's Haunted Hike - Tour historic St. John's while being regaled with stories of the spooky & strange. The tour begins and ends at the Anglican Cathedral
 • Salmonier Nature Park  - A 3 km nature trail winds through a mixture of wood and wetlands. View animals in their (enclosed) natural habitats. The trail takes apx. 1 hour to walk. About 45 minutes from St. John's.

Indoor Attractions
 • St. John's old downtown churches: the Anglican Cathedral, St. Thomas Anglican Church, the Roman Catholic Basilica (designated a minor Basilica by the Pope), St. Andrews Presbyterian, and the Gower Street United Church.
 • The Rooms: the major cultural centre at Fort Townsend for Newfoundland & Labrador, set to open June 29, 2005. The building itself has become one of prominence rivaling that of the Basilica. The Rooms will contain the Newfoundland Museum, Provincial Archives, and Art Gallery. From the upper floor you can get an unrivaled view of the area.
 • Eastern Edge Art Gallery: contemporary art from Canada and the province.
 • The Johnson GeoCentre -- Newfoundland Geo-Science Centre on Signal Hill
 • The Art Gallery of Newfoundland & Labrador
 • The Fluvarium - A partially underground aquatic centre.
 • LSPU HALL: The Resource Centre For The Arts - Art gallery and theatre.
 • The Newfoundland Science Centre
 • The Newman Wine Vaults - Historic wine vaults constructed in the late 18th century. One of St. John's oldest buildings.
 • The Provincial Museum of Newfoundland & Labrador
 • The Quidi Vidi Brewing Company - Tour the brewery and sample specialty beers.
 • The St. John's Arts & Culture Centre - Art gallery & theatre

Dining

Vegetarian:
 •  The Sprout - 364 Duckworth Street, (709) 579-5485

Budget:
 • Magic Wok (good traditional or Canadian-style Chinese food),
 • Hava Java (lunch for $5)

Mid-range:
 • Fog City - Avalon Mall, Kenmount Road, (709) 726-4949
 • The Duck Street Bistro - 250 Duckworth Street, (709) 753-0400
 • The Pepper Mill - 178 Water Street, (709) 726-7585
 • Pasta Plus - 223 Duckworth Street, (709) 739-6676
 • Pasta Plus - Avalon Mall (709) 722-6006
 • Pasta Plus Cafe - Terrace on the Square (Churchill Sq.), (709) 739-5818

Splurge:
 • Bianca's - 171 Water Street, (709) 726-9016
 • Aqua - 310 Water Street, (709) 576-2782
 • The Cellar - 152 Water Street, 4th Floor, (709) 579-8900

City of St. John's Restaurant List 

Drink

 •  George Street, in the heart of downtown, is a prime location for nightlife as it boasts the most bars per square foot in North America.
 • Water Street, the oldest street in North America, also contains several pubs, usually of a more relaxing atmosphere.

Get out

 •  Again, George Street, in the heart of downtown, is a prime location for nightlife as it boasts the most bars per square foot in North America.
 • Dildo - This quiet little fishing town is less than an hour's drive away. Go Whale watching or check out the archeological remains of early Indian settlement.